Early 19th century American and Irish political library of Maryland Congressman Alexander McKim

Collection of 51 American and Irish Political pamphlets, from the library of Maryland Congressman, ALEXANDER McKIM.

vp [Washington, D.C.; Dublin]: vd [1792-1811].

Price: $20,000.00


About the item

5 vols. Thick 8vo. Early 19th century American and Irish political library of Maryland Congressman Alexander McKim. Bound in contemporary AMERICAN half calf and marbled boards, red leather labels titled "Politics" and "American Papers"; spines cracked and worn; boards loose or detached, text generally very good with foxing in some places. Provenance: Alexander McKim (his signature and notes to flyleaf of each volume); John Campbell White and Campbell P. White (their signatures).

Item #237303

Alexander McKim (1748-1832) fought in the Continental Army, serving under Lafayette. He was elected to the Maryland Senate and the United States Congress as a Democratic-Republican in the 11th through 13th Congresses (1809-1815). (See the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress).
Irish-born Campbell P. White (1787-1859) was elected to represent New York in the 21st through 24th Congresses. He is most likely related to the Irish-born John Campbell White (1757-1847), a successful Baltimore banker whose signature also appears in some volumes.
In all, the 5 volumes contain 51 political pamphlets from the time, and a full listing of the contents of each is available. Here is a brief sample:
1. Copy of the Duke of Richmond's Letter, on a Parliamentary Reform, addressed to Lieut. Col. Sharman. With the Strictures on the British Constitutional Rights of the People. Sheffield. Printed for the Constitutional Society, June, 1792. 32 pp.
2. A Report of the Trial on an Action for Damages, brought by the Reverend Charles Massy against the Most Noble The Marquis of Headfort, for Criminal Conversation with Plaintiff's Wife. Dublin: Mahon, 1804. Third edition. viii, 95 pp.
3. NEILSON, Samuel (1761-1803). Brief Statement of a Negotiation between Certain United Irishmen and the Irish Government in July, 1798. New York: Printed for the Author, 1802. 41 pp. Shaw & Shoemaker 2727. OCLC: 3 copies.
4. Trial of Mr. Peter Finerty, Late Printer of the Press, for a Libel against His Excellency Earl Camden, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, In a Letter signed Marcus, in that Paper. Dublin: J. Stockdale, 1798. 62 pp. McCoy, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS F114 ("The publisher of the Dublin Press was found guilty of a seditious libel, pilloried, and given two-years' imprisonment for criticizing the trial of William Orr, Court of King's Bench")
5. GRATTAN, Henry (1746-1820). The Speech of Henry Grattan, Esq. on the Subject of a Legislative Union with Great Britain. The Resolutions of the Roman Catholics of the City of Dublin; The Guild of Merchants; the Freemen and Freeholders of the City of Dublin, at a Aggregate Meeting held on the 16th of January last; the Celebarted Speech delivered on that Occasion by John Philpot Curran, Esq ... Dublin, Stockdale, 1800. 32 pp. Signed "G. Douglas Philadelphia" on title page.
6. [PARNELL, William]. An Inquiry into the Causes of Popular Discontent in Ireland. By an Irish Country Gentleman. Second edition, with alterations and a Preface. London Printed, and Dublin Re-Printed by H. Fitzpatrick, No. 4, Capel-Street, 1805. xvi, 72 pp, with half-title. First Irish edition.
7. Keogh, John. Sketch of a Speech delivered by John Keogh, Esq. at the Meeting of the Catholics of Dublin ... Reported by Edward Hay, Esq. Dublin, H. Fitzpatrick, 1807. 15 pp. Signed on title page, "W. Davison ... Dublin 10 Feby (rest cropped)"
8. Plowden, Francis. An Historical Letter from Francis Plowden, Esq. to Sir Richard Musgarve, Bart. Frontispiece. London printed, and Dublin re-printed for the Author by H. Fitzpatrick, 4, Capel Street, 1805. Etched frontispiece; 99 pp.
9. Plowden Francis. A Postliminous Preface of the Historical Review of the State of Ireland. Second edition. Dublin, Printed by H. Fitzpatrick, 1804. 80 pp. Inscribed on title page "To G. Douglas, Baltimore." Francis Plowden (1749-1829), a Roman Catholic lawyer, was not finally called to the bar until 1796 following the removal of Catholic disabilities.
10. [Tone, Theobald Wolfe, 1763-1798] An Address to the People of Ireland on the Present Important Crisis. Belfast, 1796. iv, 28 pp.
11. [Drennan, William]. Letter to the Right Honorable William Pitt. Dublin: Printed by John Moore, College-Green, 1799. 48 pp. Signed at end: William Drennan. On the union between Great Britain and Ireland. Also issued as part of: 'Tracts on the subject of an union', v.3, Dublin, 1799.
12. [Drennan, William, 1754-1820] A Second Letter to the Right Honorable William Pitt. Dublin: Printed by George Folinsby, No. 59, Dame-street. 50 pp.